Lesson Plan
Digital Footprint & Reputation
Students will understand what a digital footprint is, recognize its impact on their future, learn about online privacy and responsible social media use, and develop strategies to cultivate a positive online reputation.
In today's interconnected world, a student's online presence can significantly affect their academic, social, and professional opportunities. This lesson empowers students to take control of their online narrative.
Audience
High School Students
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Through discussion, interactive slides, and a creative project, students will analyze and build their digital persona.
Materials
Whiteboard or Projector, Digital Footprint & Reputation Slide Deck, Markers or Pens, My Digital Blueprint Worksheet, Online Persona Project Guide, and Computers/Tablets (optional, for project research)
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Digital Footprint & Reputation Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the content.
* Print copies of the My Digital Blueprint Worksheet for each student.
* Review the Online Persona Project Guide and clarify any potential questions students might have.
* Ensure projector or whiteboard is ready for use.
* Prepare a personal anecdote (optional) about the impact of a digital footprint to share with students to kick off the lesson.
Step 1
Introduction: What's Your Digital Shadow?
10 minutes
- Hook: Begin by asking students: "Imagine everything you've ever done or said online formed a 'shadow' that followed you everywhere. What would that shadow look like?"
* Introduce Digital Footprint: Use Digital Footprint & Reputation Slide Deck (Slide 1-3) to define 'digital footprint' and 'digital reputation.' Explain that every like, share, comment, and post contributes to this shadow.
* Brainstorm: Ask students to brainstorm examples of things that create a digital footprint (e.g., social media posts, online comments, photos, online purchases, emails, gaming profiles). Write their ideas on the board.
Step 2
Exploring the Impact
15 minutes
- Case Studies: Present scenarios from the Digital Footprint & Reputation Slide Deck (Slides 4-6) illustrating how digital footprints can impact college admissions, job opportunities, and personal relationships. Facilitate a brief class discussion after each case study.
* Privacy Settings: Discuss the importance of privacy settings on social media platforms. Show examples (Slide 7) of how to adjust these settings to control who sees their information. Emphasize that 'private' doesn't mean 'invisible.'
* Think Before You Post: Lead a discussion on the permanence of online content and the concept of 'digital tattoos' (Slide 8). Ask students to consider the potential long-term consequences of their posts.
Step 3
Crafting Your Online Persona
20 minutes
- Introduction to Online Persona: Transition to the idea that students can intentionally shape their digital reputation (Slide 9). Introduce the concept of an 'online persona' as the image they project online.
* Worksheet Activity: Distribute the My Digital Blueprint Worksheet. Instruct students to complete the reflection questions, thinking about their current online presence and how they want to be perceived.
* Share & Discuss: Allow students to share some of their reflections (voluntarily) with a partner or the class. Discuss common themes and challenges.
Step 4
Project Introduction: Your Digital Story
10 minutes
- Introduce Project: Hand out the Online Persona Project Guide. Explain the
Slide Deck
Your Digital Footprint: The Invisible Trail
What is it?
Why does it matter?
Welcome students and introduce the topic. Ask the hook question: "Imagine everything you've ever done or said online formed a 'shadow' that followed you everywhere. What would that shadow look like?" Get a few responses before moving on.
What is a Digital Footprint?
The unique trail of data you leave behind when you use the internet.
Every like, share, comment, post, and search contributes to your footprint.
Explain that every interaction online leaves a trace. Give examples like social media posts, comments, photos, online purchases, emails, and even gaming profiles. Emphasize that it's not just what they post, but what others post about them.
Digital Reputation: Your Online Persona
How you are perceived online based on your digital footprint.
It's the story the internet tells about you.
Define 'digital reputation' as the perception of a person based on their online actions and content. Connect it to their digital footprint. Ask: "How do these two concepts relate?"
Case Study 1: Alex's Application
Scenario: Alex, a high school senior, applied to their dream university. They were confident they had strong grades and extracurriculars. However, their application was rejected. Later, Alex found out the admissions committee had seen some old, inappropriate social media posts from their freshman year.
Discussion: How might Alex's digital footprint have impacted their college application?
Present the first case study. Read it aloud or have a student read it. Then, facilitate a brief discussion: "What advice would you give Alex? How could this have been prevented?"
Case Study 2: Sarah's Summer Job
Scenario: Sarah was excited for her interview at a local summer camp. During the interview, the camp director asked her about a photo they found online of her making a rude gesture. Sarah had posted it years ago and forgotten about it. She didn't get the job.
Discussion: How did Sarah's digital footprint affect her job opportunity?
Present the second case study. Discuss: "What could Sarah have done differently? How permanent is online content?"
The Digital Tattoo: What Goes Online Stays Online
Once something is posted online, it's very difficult to remove completely.
Screenshots, shares, and archives mean content can live on forever.
Discuss the 'digital tattoo' concept. Stress the permanence of online content, even if deleted. Highlight the importance of thinking long-term.
Protecting Your Privacy: Understanding Settings
Reviewing and adjusting privacy settings on social media and other online accounts is crucial.
Who can see your posts? Who can tag you? What information is public?
Show students where to find privacy settings on common platforms (without going into specific platform details). Emphasize that even 'private' accounts aren't truly invisible and that careful thought before posting is the best defense.
Crafting Your Online Persona: Be Intentional
You have the power to shape your digital reputation.
Think about the image you want to project: What are your interests, values, and goals?
How can your online presence reflect these positively?
Introduce the idea of being proactive about their online presence. Ask: "If someone were to Google your name right now, what would they find? What do you want them to find?"
Your Digital Blueprint
A moment for self-reflection:
- What is your current online presence like?
- How do you want to be seen by others (friends, family, future employers)?
- What steps can you take to align your online actions with your desired persona?
Explain that the worksheet will help them reflect on their current footprint and desired persona. Give instructions for the My Digital Blueprint Worksheet.
Project: Your Digital Story
You will create a plan to actively build and maintain a positive and authentic online persona. This project allows you to apply what you've learned to your own digital life.
Introduce the final project for the unit, using the Online Persona Project Guide. Explain the expectations and answer any initial questions.
Worksheet
My Digital Blueprint: Reflecting on Your Online Persona
Name: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
Part 1: Understanding Your Digital Footprint
-
In your own words, what does "digital footprint" mean? Provide at least two examples of things that contribute to your digital footprint.
-
Think about the case studies we discussed (or consider other scenarios you know). List three different ways your digital footprint could potentially impact your future (e.g., college applications, job opportunities, personal relationships).
-
What are some steps you can take today to manage or clean up any negative aspects of your existing digital footprint?
Part 2: Crafting Your Online Persona
-
Describe your current online persona. How do you think others perceive you based on your online presence (e.g., social media profiles, gaming tags, comments)?
-
What kind of online persona do you want to project? Think about your values, interests, and future goals. How do you want people (friends, family, future employers) to see you online?
-
List at least three specific actions you can take to intentionally cultivate the positive online persona you described in question 2.
- Example: "I will only share positive and uplifting content."
- Example: "I will check my privacy settings weekly."
-
Why is it important to be mindful and intentional about the online persona you create? How can this benefit you in the long run?
Project Guide
Your Digital Story: Building Your Online Persona
Project Objective
To empower you to take control of your online narrative by actively planning and designing a positive, authentic, and future-proof online persona.
Project Task
Your task is to create a "Digital Storyboard" or a "Persona Portfolio" that outlines your desired online persona and demonstrates how you will maintain it. This project has two main components:
- Persona Profile: Define your desired online persona.
- Content Examples: Create examples of online content that align with this persona.
Part 1: Persona Profile (Written Component)
Create a written profile (500-750 words) that includes the following sections:
A. My Desired Online Identity
- Vision Statement: In one sentence, what is the overall message or impression you want your online presence to convey?
- Keywords: List 3-5 adjectives or keywords that describe your desired online persona (e.g., "creative," "leader," "kind," "knowledgeable").
- Target Audience: Who do you want to influence or connect with online (e.g., friends, family, future colleges, employers, hobby groups)?
- Platforms: Which social media or online platforms will you focus on for this persona, and why?
B. Content Strategy
- Themes: What are 2-3 main themes or topics you will focus on sharing online to support your persona?
- "Think Before You Post" Checklist: Develop a personal checklist (3-5 questions) you will ask yourself before posting anything online to ensure it aligns with your desired persona and is responsible.
C. Privacy & Security Plan
- Settings Review: How often will you review and adjust your privacy settings? What are the key settings you will prioritize?
- Information Sharing: What types of personal information will you never share online? What information will you share with caution?
Part 2: Content Examples (Visual/Creative Component)
Create three (3) distinct examples of online content that you would genuinely post to reflect your desired online persona. These can be:
- Social Media Post: A mock-up of an Instagram post, TikTok video idea (description + visual concept), Twitter thread, or Facebook post. Include caption, hashtags, and a visual description.
- Blog Post/Article Snippet: A short paragraph (100-150 words) from a mock blog or article you would write, aligned with your persona.
- "About Me" Section: A draft of an "About Me" section for a professional networking site (like LinkedIn) or a personal website.
- Comment/Response: A mock response to a news article, online discussion, or another user's post, demonstrating positive online engagement.
For each content example, include a brief explanation (2-3 sentences) of how it reflects your desired persona and why you chose to create it.
Submission
- Digital Storyboard/Persona Portfolio: Submit your complete written Persona Profile and your three Content Examples. This can be a document, a presentation, or a simple webpage mock-up.
Assessment Criteria
Your project will be assessed on the following:
- Clarity & Coherence: Is your desired online persona clearly defined and consistent across all components?
- Thoughtfulness: Does your Persona Profile demonstrate deep reflection and strategic thinking?
- Relevance: Do your content examples genuinely reflect and support your desired persona?
- Creativity: Is your project engaging and well-presented?
- Completeness: Have all components of the project been addressed?
- Understanding of Concepts: Does the project demonstrate a strong understanding of digital footprint, reputation, and responsible online citizenship?
This project is worth [Insert Point Value/Percentage Here].
Due Date: [Insert Due Date Here]